Adrian M. Elizalde

Adrian Elizalde started wrestling at age 8, and his family members say the sport helped him become a Green Beret.

He had joined the military after graduating from North Bend High School and had talked about becoming a science teacher and a wrestling coach.

But Elizalde instead became the first Green Beret from Oregon to die in Iraq. Elizalde, 30, died Aug. 23 when a roadside bomb exploded near his vehicle in Al Aziziyah, Iraq.

Elizalde, who was assigned to the Army Special Forces based at Fort Lewis, had been in Iraq since February.

Sally Prouty, a retired North Bend principal, had taught Adrian Elizalde in second grade.

"He was extremely bright and he liked to break dance and do the moonwalk all the time," Prouty recalled. "What a waste because he really was a wonderful boy.

"As an adult, he would've added a lot to this or any other community where he landed."

Remembrances

Jeff Schnell wrote:
Adrian was my "Battle Buddy" in basic training and my roommate at Ft. Bragg. He will be missed by al of that served with him.

Jeff Schnell
Date Posted: November 12, 2007

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Editor's Note: The Oregonian wanted to offer an opportunity for those who knew the service member or those who wanted to comment on their sacrifice to add to this tribute. As this is a memorial site, we will review all comments for appropriateness before publication.

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